Monday, February 13, 2012

Musing Monday..."Reader, I married him."

Ok, I have not even told you the question, let alone the answer and here I have given the ending away. But I suspect, many of you know that quote and even if you don't, you may know the ending to the book that is my answer.
But first, the question, as always from the mind of Miz B at Should Be Reading.

This week’s musing asks…

What is your favorite romantic book –or book that includes a love story? (an adult romance, young adult, kids’ story, anything)

You know, sometimes I actually have to muse about the Musing question, to let my answer form in my brain. Yes, I know my answers don't seem that complicated, but in my simple mind, so things go.
But this time, the answer came to be at once.
Jame Eyre!
I assume the first time I read it, it was a school assignment, when I was in high school. And my dear reader, I was sold!
I don't read romances, never have. Actually, I am not too happy when a romance intrudes on my beloved mystery stories. But Jane Eyre...that is a great story, a great romance...a great book!
(and please, excuse the possible overuse of the exclamation mark in this post!)

This is, in my mind, the perfect example how often the classics are, for all the rest, just darn good stories and Jane Eyre is a darn good story, a darn good love story.  Then there is Mr. Rochester. Dark, mysterious, with a gruff exterior but a needy, lonely heart. And it did not hurt that he was rich!
Hey, I was a teenager but I wasn't a fool!
If you are going to fall in love with a man with so many issues, it doesn't hurt if he has a boatload of money.

But, of course, things aren't going to go that smooth. No, the path will be rocky and that is good. At least for the story. That pesky wife locked in the attic and other wee problems. But love will triumph. Or will it? Oh, the suspense.
Actually, I always thought that Jane would triumph, one way or the other, because she is the star of the show and if she was not the great, strong, resourceful young woman that she is, the book, especially the romance would not be what it is. Yes, it is a love story but it is also a story about a young woman growing up in difficult circumstances, to say the least, and succeeding. The whole orphan thing, succeeding even with her lowly beginning and then, the icing on the cake...True Love.

"My bride is here... because my equal is here, and my likeness."

They were friends first, equals, despite their places in the world, and then they fell in love.But things are not so simple and we knew there was more to the story. I mean, there were all those pages left! The interrupted wedding (oh, horror!) Jane fleeing, trying to start over. But true love wins. She returns, finds the house burned to the ground..is he dead? Is that it? No, we will have our happy ending after all. Sure, he is blind and scarred. But really girls, does that make him any less attractive? Of course not. He is now a tragic, handsome figure.
And he is still rich.

16 comments:

  1. OH!! That Sammy is so cute!!

    I loved Jane Eyre, great choice for a romantic read. I found this a tough one. I like to many romantic stories.

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  2. Totally agree with you on the choice of Jane Eyre! Recently we rented the most current movie version, and they OMITTED the line "Reader I married him," or even an indication that they DID get married. It wasn't the best version!

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  3. People say that, that it is a difficult read, but I never thought that.
    And yes, Sammy is so so cute...and I think he may know it.

    No "Reader, I married him." What were they thinking???

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  4. First...Kudos!! lol remembering and quoting HS.

    Not sure if my books fall into the category but it's been a while that I picked up a romance.

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  5. I agree, Jane Eyre is a great romance books and a really good story. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. I've never read Jane Eyre. I have it in hardback and on my Kindle, but with so many mixed reviews, I haven't made my mind up whether to read it or not.

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  7. Can you believe I've never read this? I swear my English teachers in high school were heathens.

    I think my favorite love story in print must be The Time Traveler's Wife. So so good.

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  8. Jane Eyre was a wonderful book .. but I think my favorite romantic novel is Susan Isaac's Almost Paradise

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  9. I read JE in high school too but not because it was in the curriculum. I just read it on my own, loved it and read it several times over. Good pick, wee Caite!

    BTW, how much exactly is a "boatload" of money? And what size boat are we talking? Lol!

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  10. The size of the boat is left to your imagination. Even a row boat world be pretty darn nice I think..

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  11. Darn iPad keeps changing my words...I am going to have to read these posts before I hit enter...

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  12. You crack me up with these musings. I wouldn't have pegged you for a Rochester fan actually.

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  13. Yeah, I'm not much for romance either, so I'd struggle to answer this question.

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  14. Its been so long since I read Jane Eyre that I didn't even think of it. Great choice.

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  15. sigh!!!!! loooove jane eyre. GREAT Post!

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